Windows 10 is reaching the end of its lifecycle – and so is the era it was built for.
By October 2025, Microsoft will officially stop supporting the platform. No more patches, no more protection, no more safety net for businesses that delay. This Windows 10 end of life milestone isn’t just a technical formality – it’s a turning point for how IT is managed and secured.
It marks the end of a chapter shaped around on-premise infrastructure, patch cycles, and assumptions that no longer fit the way we work.
Modern workplaces demand more. Hybrid teams, persistent threats, rising compliance pressures – today’s environment calls for a platform that’s secure by design and ready for change.
That makes this more than an upgrade. It’s a rare opportunity to rethink: how your devices are managed, how your people are supported, and how your IT strategy delivers value.
It’s also the moment many organisations will face a decision – whether to treat this as a patch job or as a business IT upgrade that strengthens their foundation long term.
The real risk of doing nothing
Make no mistake – keeping Windows 10 after support ends exposes your business.
No more security updates means vulnerabilities go unpatched – and unpatched software becomes an open door. We’ve seen it before with unsupported platforms: breaches spike, remediation gets costly, and downtime hurts your bottom line.
There’s also a compliance angle. Frameworks like the ACSC Essential Eight clearly warn against using outdated systems. Sticking with Windows 10 could affect your ability to pass audits, renew cyber insurance, or win new contracts.
Worse still, it directly conflicts with basic Essential Eight principles like patching, application control, and vulnerability management.
Even with strong controls in place, you can’t meet maturity targets while running an unsupported operating system.
This isn’t just a tech issue. It’s a risk to your reputation, your operations, and your bottom line. The upcoming Microsoft OS changes highlight just how critical it is to stay aligned with modern standards.
Why Windows 11 fits the way you work now
Windows 11 is built for the way people work today – secure, mobile, connected. It’s not just a cosmetic refresh. Microsoft has re-engineered the platform to meet the needs of hybrid teams and modern infrastructure.
What Windows 11 brings:
- Security-first architecture, with TPM 2.0, secure boot, and built-in credential protection
- Remote-native capabilities like zero-touch provisioning and seamless cloud enrolment
- Better compatibility with collaboration platforms and virtual environments
If you waited due to early bugs or hardware gaps, that was fair. But the platform has matured. It’s stable, tested, and widely deployed in enterprise environments.
As part of these broader Microsoft OS changes, businesses now have a chance to move away from legacy tools and build something far more flexible and secure.
Rethink how you manage IT
This upgrade isn’t just about new software. It’s a chance to improve how your entire IT environment is managed.
With Microsoft Intune, you can move to cloud-native device management – no more dependency on on-premises infrastructure or legacy processes.
Benefits include:
- Centralised policy and compliance management
- Seamless user onboarding – even remotely
- Automated provisioning and updates to lower IT overhead
- Built-in support for a zero-trust model
For many businesses, this transition becomes the natural point to consolidate tools, retire outdated systems, and realign with frameworks like the Essential Eight – all in one coordinated effort.
The shift away from Windows 10 is already driving smarter decisions and unlocking long-overdue business IT upgrades.
Five moves to make now
Waiting until the last minute means added pressure and higher risk. Here’s how to get ahead:
- Audit your hardware – Not all devices are compatible with Windows 11 Find out what makes the cut now
- Test your software – Confirm that business-critical applications run smoothly
- Run a pilot – Start with a small group to surface issues and build confidence
- Modernise device management – Use the transition to adopt Microsoft Intune and reduce complexity
- Prepare your people – Communicate early and offer support to make the rollout smooth
Starting now spreads the effort, flattens the cost curve, and gives you time to solve issues before they become blockers.
It also gives your team space to improve – not just react.
How RES helps you lead the change
This transition often opens the door to broader gains – from simplifying policy enforcement and automating compliance workflows, to reducing infrastructure overhead and building more resilient endpoint environments.
Working with a partner who understands both the technical and business implications helps ensure every step of the process adds lasting value.
Our approach is built on practical, real-world implementation:
- Planning device refreshes around real hardware compatibility
- Deploying Intune in ways that make remote management effortless
- Aligning change with the security outcomes your board or insurance provider expects
- Avoiding disruption through well-paced rollouts and user support
These projects aren’t just about compliance. When handled well, they can evolve into a full business IT upgrade – one that improves resilience, agility, and day-to-day productivity across the board.
What’s next is up to you
Windows 10 end of life is a fixed date. But how you respond – and what you build from it – is where the opportunity lies.
Handled well, this isn’t just about staying secure. It’s a chance to reset how IT supports your business – reducing risk, simplifying operations, and creating space for longer-term improvements.
Start by understanding where you are now – your hardware, your management setup, and your exposure. From there, you can create a plan that works on your terms.
Start the transition now while it’s a choice, not a scramble.
